Exeter Carnival 2022

Let's take a moment to celebrate carnival ❤

On Saturday 26th November Exeter witnessed the triumphant comeback of Exeter Carnival which was resurrected after a 24-year hiatus. The original Exeter Carnival ended in 1998 due to the rising costs of organising the event and funding shortages.

The revival of the carnival was organised by InExeter the Business Improvement District for Exeter. This event was made possible by the member businesses of InExeter, whose collective funding allows incredible events to take place in the city.

Over 40 entries took part in Exeter Carnival which included over 600 people from Exeter, Devon and beyond. The carnival was also the last stop for the Jubilation Cart which was built for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant parade in London this summer. Exeter was one of 10 carnivals and the only one outside Somerset except the parade in London to have the cart. Jubilation thrilled spectators in Exeter and entered the carnival as a non-competitive entry.

The Best Overall Float Winner was Harlequin Carnival Club with their entry Home on the Range (Cowboy yer really up the creek). It was a successful return for Harlequin Carnival Club who were at the very first Exeter Carnival in 1977 and had not been in Exeter for over 40 years where they historically placed second.

Local businesses and organisations also got in the carnival spirit and braved the weather to put on a fantastic show for the carnival. Acts included Street Heat Samba as the lead act of the carnival, DanSci Dance Studios who took first place in the Maquerader Groups category and local charity CEDA (Community Equality Disability Action) who won first place with their Harry Potter entry in the Local Float Category. For a full list of winners please see: www.exetercarnival.com.

The carnival featured an array of brightly coloured acts that wowed the crowd – many of whom had never experienced a carnival before. Local singing group Big Noise Chorus were in full voice for the evening – performing on a festively decorated bus supplied by sponsor Stagecoach.

Thank you to Thomas Smith Videography for capturing the atmosphere on the night. It is a joy to see the happiness of everyone there.

We will be taking a break from Carnival now but have a provisional date of Saturday 25th November for 2023! Updates to follow next year.

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